Description #
Tiling over existing tiles is a very common practice - especially in renovation settings. Learn abut how to prepare the surface for new tiles, to ensure a perfect finish that stands the test of time.
Transcript #
0:00
[Music]
0:04
Hello and welcome back to Prep Set Go. Thanks once again for joining us it's great to have you here.
0:09
In this video we'll be looking at tiling over existing tiles and covering the preparation and
0:14
general considerations that go with it - so let's get started. Tiling over existing tiles is very
0:19
common practice, particularly in the renovation space. It's a practical solution when you want to
0:25
maintain the function of a space while giving the area an update or a refresh. The practice can save
0:31
both time and money, eliminating the need to rip up the old tiles which can be both labour and time
0:36
intensive. It's far less invasive and noisy and doesn't create dust and the added inconvenience
0:42
of extra waste that needs to be disposed. Now, although this is far more convenient than the
0:47
alternative, there's still a number of things to consider when determining if it's even feasible.
0:53
So let's explore some of these. What would the impact be on floor heights? An obvious impact of
0:59
tiling directly over existing tiles is the raising of floor heights on horizontal surfaces. Will this
1:05
become a trip hazard - particularly at doorways. Will transition strips be needed or even practical
1:11
to bridge and ramp the transition. Do doors and architraves need to be shaved down? Does
1:17
skirting need to be raised and retrofitted? Is there sufficient set down in wet areas and
1:21
showers to accommodate the elevated finish? Will the substrate be capable of accepting the weight
1:26
of a whole new tile layer? This is particularly important for vertical applications on lightweight
1:31
wall sheeting, and timber floors where the added weight will increase stresses on the structure
1:35
that may lead to increased flexing, deflection, and movement. So after these initial conditions,
1:41
you've determined that it is feasible. Let's move on to the practical steps of preparing
1:46
the existing tiles. First off, tiles need to be sound, stable, and well bonded, as
1:52
we've spoken about in previous videos on surface preparation - finishes are only as good as the
1:56
surface they're bonded to. The existing tiled surface must be well bonded to the substrate,
2:01
and not loose or drummy - and drummyness is that hollow sound when you tap a surface, indicating
2:06
that there's separation of the tile or adhesive from the substrate. So a thorough inspection of
2:11
the entire surface should be conducted and any loose, cracked or drummy tiles should be removed
2:16
and patched with a suitable repair or levelling compound, and you can refer to the extensive
2:21
range of RLA surface preparation products for details. Extensive cracking and delamination of
2:26
tiles could indicate a defect in the substrate, or an underlying issue and may require complete
2:32
removal of the tiles and inspection and repairs of the underlying substrate. So we've done our
2:39
inspection and made some repairs, now we need to ensure the surface is thoroughly
2:43
clean to enable a good bond to the surface - and again please refer to previous episodes
2:48
on the importance of good surface preparation. Tiled surfaces should be free of all dirt, dust,
2:54
grease, soap, detergent, chemical residues, and any other surface contaminants that could
3:00
affect the adhesion of our new tile layer. The type of cleaning will be based on the process
3:05
we'll be using to bond the new tiles, so this can either be directly with suitable tile adhesives,
3:11
or through the use of special primers such as the RLA Universal Primer which is designed to allow
3:16
finishes to bond to smooth or non-porous surfaces like ceramics, metals, and plastics. Tiling
3:22
directly to the existing tiles will often require the removal of the tile glaze, and roughening of
3:27
the surface to promote good adhesion - and please remember when roughening the tiles don't forget
3:32
to use appropriate protective gear. Including mask, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
3:37
Mechanical grinding and washing down or vacuuming of the surface will remove the bulk of surface
3:42
contaminants, when using special primers where removing the glaze is not as critical,
3:47
cleaning solutions, detergents, or degreases, can be considered - paying particular attention
3:52
to grout lines where contaminants can accumulate. And now for adhering the tiles. First and foremost
3:59
always use a high quality tile adhesive. You've done the hard work in the preparation,
4:04
so you'll want to ensure a decent adhesive is used to ensure a quality job. We recommend
4:09
using a C2 class adhesive which is classified as having improved adhesion and RLA have a number of
4:15
suitable adhesives in their range to consider. And remember to always refer to the product
4:19
data sheet for suitability for use over these surfaces, or if unsure call us directly where
4:25
one of our friendly staff will be more than happy to help. Thanks for joining us in today's episode,
4:31
if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them down below, or send
4:35
us a message via our social media channels. We look forward to seeing you next time. [Music]
